It's what those commercials aren't saying that counts
Every time you see an advertisement on television or hear it on the radio, you are being sold something, whether it's a product, service, or idea. Keep that in mind the next time an ad comes on regarding the latest-and-greatest drug.
Would you be surprised if I told you that the drug companies leave out key information-such as risk factors-in the television commercials they run? Of course not! But really, what did we expect? They're selling a product here, and their goal, first and foremost, is the bottom line, which rates many rungs higher than your personal health.
An analysis was done of television commercials aired between June 30th and July 27th 2004. Seven of the 10 top-selling prescription drugs for 2004 were looked at, with a total of 38 different ads for those seven drugs. Of those ads, only 25 percent mentioned causes or risk factors associated with the condition that the drug was to treat. None mentioned lifestyle changes as an alternative to medication (remember, they're selling something here), although 20 percent did mention it as a practice to go along with the particular drug. Only 25 percent mentioned how common the treated disease is, and most of the commercials painted a rosy picture of how the drug could help you regain your health after using the drug.
You know the ads I'm talking about: The voice-over is talking about some horrible disease, but the imagery you are seeing is of people taking their prescription and then riding their bikes in the tropics or running through flower-strewn meadows. You are left with the impression that all you need is their little pill in order to experience a life transformation!
So, a good thing to remember is this: If you see an advertisement for a drug, think of it the same way you would an ad for a new car. Do your research and get a full understanding of the "product." Be as selective with what goes into your body, as you are about the car you drive.
You'd do well to think of the pharmaceutical industry as a business rather than as a healer. And remember, those advertisements that run day and night cost a lot of money.
How do you think they're paying for them? The more people they can get to take their product, the more profit they make.
So what comes first: Their profit, or your health?
